This is a “case study”, or short analytical paper. Choose an event in which there was a crime, incident, or attack and conduct research for details on the role that intelligence played in providing early warning, or mitigated the attack. If the attack was carried out, analyze the role of intelligence in the ensuing investigation.
Consider these questions:
- Did intelligence provide early warning? If so, how, and in what capacity?
- Explain the coordination between law enforcement entities. Was it effective and in what way? If not, what were the hindrances to cooperation?
- Could you identify the phases of the intelligence cycle in your case? That is, how did units collect information and turn that information into actionable intelligence products for the law enforcement entities? What role did criminal analysis play in this case?
- What worked well in the investigation and what were the lessons learned?
This assignment is meant to engage your interest, enabling you to learn more about real world events and practice writing succinct papers that demonstrate your understanding of the course concepts.
There are plenty of cases to choose from, including:
International: the London Train bombing; the Madrid train bombing; the attack on Mumbai hotel; the Ottawa attack; or the Paris attack, as some examples.
Domestic: the Shoe Bomber; the Boston Marathon case; attacks on military installations (incidents on Ft. Dix, Ft. Hood, the Navy Yard) by “domestic” attackers; the attack on the Alfred Murrah building in Oklahoma City; the Unabomber or many others.
Your paper should be 5 pages, double-spaced, excluding your title page and references page. Please cite your sources properly in the text and in complete citations in your reference section. Use APA format, please. If you have any questions about citing or resources, please ask.